I remember starting college with a mindset that everything would be a breeze and everyone was blowing it out of proportion. I just did four years of high school with no problem. College can't be that different, right? After starting my first semester of freshman year I knew that it would be easy. The work load wasn't that stressful, my professors were nice and I didn't have to take exams every day. I could even occasionally get a nap and Netflix in sometimes, how hard could it get? No one warned me that everything would change sophomore year. The work got harder, the exams were longer and more frequent and I began writing notes everyday just to keep my grades somewhat good. If anyone has gone through this you know the exact turn that my mind had taken.
You began to think about dropping out because it is less shameful than failing out. Late at night when your roommate is sleeping you lay awake wondering what you're going to do with your life. After studying your life away and limiting your social interaction to your roommate, the lady in the cafeteria and the cleaning lady in your hall, you begin to wonder if you should even try anymore. You can’t even nap or watch Netflix for 30 minutes because you feel guilty about not studying. You lose yourself, just like I did. You have given it your all and you still end up feeling like you've accomplished nothing. As hard as it may be to believe, it is okay.
Losing yourself is natural in life and it happens to everyone, whether they admit it or not. I lost myself because I let my school work control my life. I pushed away every friend I had, except my roommate, because I thought that’s what was best for me. I soon realized that I wasn’t doing any better in my classes and I was actually retaining less information than before. The number one thing that helped me find myself again was remember that not only is it okay to lose myself, it’s going to be okay. Remember that, it’s going to be okay. You are going to be okay.
Getting good grades in college is important but so is living. I don’t mean living in the sense of just being alive and breathing. Really living the life you were given. Put the textbook down and take time for yourself. Go out, watch a movie with friends or get dinner with that cute guy or girl you like. Losing yourself is a journey that everyone takes. But it is also one of the most important journeys you will ever take. If we do not lose ourselves then how are we supposed to know who we really are?
